Send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me, and bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. Psalm 43:3

CONFESSION OF SIN

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Silence for reflection

Come now, let us argue it out, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. Amen.

Lord, open our lips. *And our mouths shall proclaim your praise!

MORNING PSALM PSALM 37:1-18

Do not fret yourself because of evildoers; * do not be jealous of those who do wrong.

For they shall soon wither like the grass, * and like the green grass fade away.

Put your trust in the LORD and do good; * dwell in the land and feed on its riches.

Take delight in the LORD, * and he shall give you your heart's desire.

Commit your way to the LORD and put your trust in him, * and he will bring it to pass.

He will make your righteousness as clear as the light * and your just dealing as the noonday.

Be still before the LORD * and wait patiently for him.

Do not fret yourself over the one who prospers, * the one who succeeds in evil schemes.

Refrain from anger, leave rage alone; * do not fret yourself; it leads only to evil.

For evildoers shall be cut off, * but those who wait upon the LORD shall possess the land.

In a little while the wicked shall be no more; * you shall search out their place, but they will not be there.

But the lowly shall possess the land; * they will delight in abundance of peace.

The wicked plot against the righteous * and gnash at them with their teeth.

The Lord laughs at the wicked, * because he sees that their day will come.

The wicked draw their sword and bend their bow to strike down the poor and needy, * to slaughter those who are upright in their ways.

Their sword shall go through their own heart, * and their bow shall be broken.

The little that the righteous has * is better than great riches of the wicked.

For the power of the wicked shall be broken, * but the LORD upholds the righteous.

Lord Jesus, you bless the poor with the kingdom of heaven. Teach us to put our trust in the Father and to seek his kingdom rather than to imitate the powerful or envy the rich; so may we serve you now and forever.

Glory to the Father and to the Sonand to the Holy Spirit; *as it was in the beginningis now and shall be for ever. Amen.

Pilate spoke to them again, “Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!”Pilate asked them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him!” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters); and they called together the whole cohort. And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. And they began saluting him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him. After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus.

Silence for reflection

CONCLUDING PRAYER

This week, pray especially for:

the many suffering from the devastation of Tropical Storm Harvey and from the monsoon in South Asia; for those who have lost their homes and possessions; for the rescue and aid workers; for the churches and shelters providing relief and resources

our students, teachers, and administrators in our city schools as they begin this week

our community groups and leaders; that they might be places to experience God's friendship with us

Conclude with the Lord's Prayer and/or the following Collect:

Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.